Summary
Starfieldis getting a host of meaningful updates this year. TheShattered SpaceDLC will be launching this fall, of course, but recent and soon-to-be-released patches may wind up making the most significant, ubiquitous changes, as they have the potential to sand down some ofStarfield’s rougher edges.
There’s plenty of raw data indicating thatStarfieldwas one of the biggest successesof 2023, but reviews—from both players and critics—tell a different story. Much has been said about the game’s design and writing, but a whirlwind of criticism has also been hurled at a slightly more predictable culprit: technical issues. Indeed, while many players may have some nostalgic fondness for the glitches, janky animations, and subpar performance of a game likeSkyrim, it seems that the standards are a bit higher in the modern era. Objective shortcomings, such asStarfield’s omnipresent loading screens, poor PC optimization, and a cap of 30 FPS on next-gen Xbox consoles, have been tough to swallow, but Bethesda could be turning things around.
Starfield’s 60 FPS Patch Is a Good Sign
60 FPS On Console Will Be a Massive Leap for Starfield
Starfield’s infamous 30 FPS capon consoles was perhaps the biggest controversy the game faced in the leadup to its release. Criticisms of this decision, while at times overly reactive or vitriolic, were mostly reasonable. After all, the Xbox Series X has been marketed as “the most powerful console ever made,” and an option for higher FPS is a staple of most current-gen console releases. Ultimately, the 30 FPS cap can makeStarfieldfeel a bit outdated as, while it’s a great-looking game, it’s hard to argue that it has fidelity that warrants such a limitation.
Thankfully,Starfield’s May 15 update will introduce an option for 60 FPS on Xbox Series X consoles, with additional settings for 40 FPS and an uncapped framerate for compatible, variable-refresh-rate displays. On its own, this is a massive upgrade for the game, but it represents much more: the 60 FPS patch shows thatBethesda is willing to listen toStarfieldcriticismand make adjustments accordingly. Hopefully, this can lead to greater improvements down the road.
It’s important to note that the 60 FPS patch will only be available on the Xbox Series X, not the Series S. It’s not clear whether this exclusivity will be repeated with future updates.
Framerate Isn’t the Only Technical Area Where Starfield Can Improve
WithShattered Spaceon the way, there’s a chance that Bethesda has some ambitious plans forStarfield. Naturally, it’s unlikely that the DLC will be on-par with something likePhantom Libertyor any ofNo Man’s Sky’s major expansions, as it’s expected torelease just a year after theStarfieldbase game, but it could still usher in some significant improvements to performance and overall technical strength.
Perhaps even more than the low framerate cap on console,Starfieldcritics have lambasted the game’s reliance on loading screens, as many feel that they break up the flow of exploration and general immersion. Again, while Bethesda probably won’t somehow remove loading screens altogether, perhaps the DLC areas could be more streamlined or cohesive, or the developers could find some other way to render areas that don’t involve full stoppages of gameplay.
FutureStarfieldupdatesare sure to make improvements to bugs and other miscellaneous technical issues as well, but these patches may be more comprehensive than in the past; withStarfieldcoming under heavier scrutiny than Bethesda Game Studios' other single-player games, and with it positioned as one of Xbox’s biggest new IP, it seems reasonable that its ‘final’ technical state should be held to a higher standard. A 60 FPS patch forStarfieldonce seemed unlikely, so it will be interesting to see what else Bethesda has in store when it comes to performance.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
